CASIMERO vs AKAHO ENDS IN CONTROVERSIAL 2nd ROUND NO CONTEST
By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Sat, 03 Dec 2022
Former three-time world champion Johnriel Casimero's first foray at superbantam against Ryo Akaho of Japan at Paradise City Plaza in Incheon, South Korea tonight ended a controversial 2nd round no contest.
Footage from a YouTube video uploaded by South Korea's SBS Sports saw a feeling out first round action where Casimero connected a good left to the head and another left to the body of Akaho who also scored from his jabs. In the second round Casimero became aggressive early and immediately connected with a booming right to the head of Akaho. Casimero continued to put on the pressure when a grazing back of the head counterpunch by Akaho sent an outbalanced Casimero touching the canvas with both of his hands. Japanese referee Michiaki Someya ruled it a knockdown and administered the eight-count on Casimero. Riled, Casimero came in hard on Akaho and connected with a series of powerful head and body shots to the retreating Japanese who at one point was holding on for dear life against the ropes. With plenty of time remaining in the round, it seems a knockdown or a knockout is imminent.
With 44 seconds remaining in the round with Akaho, who was knocked out in the 2nd round by Pungluang Sor Singyu in Thailand in 2015, appeared to be badly hurt and groggy, Someya stopped the action and warned Casimero not to hit at the back of the head. The replay showed that Casimero grazed Akaho's back of the head when the Japanese ducked Casimero's right cross. Inexplicably, Akaho then touched the back of his head and turned his back from the action, went to a neutral corner and stayed there forever, apparently decided he no longer want to continue to fight. The Japanese referee even called for a chair so Akaho can rest properly.
Eventually the fight was ruled a no-contest.
Boxing rules generally allows a point deduction or the disqualification of the offending boxer who throws a back of the head punch commonly known as a rabbit punch. In this situation, clearly, Akaho was not hit by a punch to the back of his head but was only grazed by Casimero's arm.
Obviously Casimero was the B-side of the the matchup and was in the unfortunate disadvantageous position when things like these happen. Nevertheless, QuadroAlas showed that he still has it in the superbantams and still could be a threat to anyone out there in the division.
Casimero's record now reads at 31-4-1 with 21KOs while Akaho's is 39-2-3, 26KOS.
